A review of placental histology for infants with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy compared with healthy controls: A retrospective case-control study

Abstract

Objective The role of the placenta in the development of hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) remains undefined. There is limited research comparing placental histology for infants with HIE and healthy controls. This is limiting our ability to understand its role in HIE. This study aimed to report the differences in placental histology between infants with HIE and healthy controls. Study Design A case-control study of (near-) term infants with moderate/severe HIE and healthy controls at a single tertiary NICU. Placental histology was reviewed by one perinatal histopathologist using consensus guidelines. Results Seventy-four cases and 98 controls were included. Cases had a higher incidence of pathology, including fetal vascular malperfusion, histological chorioamnionitis and delayed villous maturation. Conclusion This study demonstrates a higher incidence of placental pathology for infants born with HIE suggesting that the placenta is an important factor in the pathogenesis of HIE. Further research is required to delineate this relationship.